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Ish Garrett signs with Greyhounds

Wildcats all-time leading rusher headed for ENMU

By Bill Armendariz

barmendariz @demingheadlight.com @demingheadlight on Twitter

Posted:
02/06/2014 05:45:29 PM MST

Bill Armendariz — Headlight Photo
Ismail Garrett, seated in center, signed a letter of intent on Thursday to play football for the Greyhounds at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. Garrett will graduate in May as the Deming High Wildcats all-time leading rusher with 3,188 yards over a three-year prep career. On hand for the signing at DHS were, standing from left, Mike Ellis, DHS acitivities/athletic director; Yvonne Perales, DHS academic advisor; Tiahnna Garrett and DHS Football Coach Fernie Holguin. Seated from left are Ismail's parents, Felisha and Phillip Garrett.

Ismail Garrett put a stamp on his Wildcat football career by running through and around defenders. Now the Deming High tailback will attempt to leave his imprint for the Greyhounds at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.

Garrett, Deming High's all-time leading ground gainer, signed a letter of intent Thursday to play football for the Greyhounds in 2014.

"This is an awesome step for me," said Garrett who signed with his family, Wildcat coach and DHS administrators looking on. His steps will provide higher learning through a full ride four-year scholarship. The academic angle to his award is most important for Garrett who would like to pursue a minor in business administration and is undecided about his major.

Garrett leaves behind his legacy in Wildcat football that began as a freshman transfer from New Jersey where he played Pop Warner youth football and in youth basketball leagues. He leaves the Wildcat program as the school's all-time leading rusher with 3,188 yards and a three-time All-District 3-4A First Team selection. He was also the district's most valuable offensive player.

"We are like a family," Garrett said of his Wildcat teammates the last four years. "We worked hard during the off-season — in the weight room and the practice field. That's where we came together as a team."

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Garrett pointed to highlights during his Wildcat career as winning the district championship his sophomore year and repeating the following season. "Deming hadn't won a district football championship in 20 years," he proudly stated. "We had good leaders on that team, like Anthony (Ramirez)."

ENMU coaches showed quite an interest in Garrett, calling on him as many as three times a week to see how he was doing athletically and academically. He visited the campus in Portales and was immediately taken by the college atmosphere, the players, coaches and the football program.

"They're like a family," he said. "It's a lot like we have here at Deming High."

The Greyhounds were co-champions of the Lone Star Conference in 2013 and a tradition of competing and winning suits Garrett just fine.

"When I first came to Deming, I felt a sense of pride on the football team. Win or lose, we were going to go all-out on the practice field, regardless of who we played," Garrett said while reflecting on the Wildcat football program. "They're going to be all right in Class 6A. The work ethic in the weight room and on the practice field, and the coaches will get them ready for the new challenges ahead.

"People don't give our athletes enough credit for the work they put in."